AM Edition: Top 10 Politics Articles on LiveNews.co.nz for June 21, 2026 – Full Text

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has increased annual funding for events delivered by Rockquest Promotions by $50,000 per year, acknowledging the rising costs for these events, Education Minister Erica Stanford announced today.

“This brings the annual funding to $1.765 million to support programmes such as Smokefree Rockquest, Smokefree Tangata Beats, Bandquest, Showquest, OnScreen, Stills, and TOI (Wearable Arts). 

“These events are amazing for young people to showcase their creative talents and think about whether a career as a performer is for them.

“In the past artists such as Kimbra, Marlon Willliams, and Bic Runga have competed in the Smokefree Rockquest, with Lorde competing in Bandquest. All have gone onto to have amazing careers as performers.

“Last year, 15,000 students participated performing live music, dance and drama to digital media and visual arts, with many students creating original work for the first time.

“Today’s announcement is part of a package of funding that has included $5.6 million to provide musical instruments to state and state-integrated schools and kura with students in Years 0–8. 

Additionally, $300,000 has been provided to the New Zealand Choral Federation and Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand. Each will receive a one-off grant of $150,000 to support the production of their annual events, such as the Big Sing. 

Eligible schools and kura will receive music kits and taonga pūoro kits based on their roll size. Schools and kura will have a choice of kit that allows them to complement existing music resources and curriculum coverage.

“Music builds strong foundations for learning, confidence, and can lead to new opportunities both within and outside the classroom. 

Ms Stanford who learned to play the recorder at school said she wanted every student to have the ability to learn music, performance, instruments or singing. 

“It’s a fantastic way to keep young people engaged in education.”

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/20/government-amps-up-rockquest-funding/

Source: New Zealand Government

New Zealand is well prepared to respond if bird flu reaches our shores, but it is important that everyone takes steps now to be ready, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard.

“Since the H5N1 strain of bird flu started spreading around the world, New Zealand’s geographical isolation has protected us and given us time to prepare,” says Mr Hoggard.

“The Ministry for Primary Industries, the Department of Conservation, the Ministry of Health, and Health New Zealand have been working together with industry and local councils to get ready.”

Australian authorities have confirmed the H5N1 2.3.4.4b strain of avian influenza in a migratory seabird found in Western Australia. This is the strain that has caused large numbers of deaths in wild birds, poultry, and some mammals overseas.

Initial tests on a sick giant petrel found in the same area suggest it is also infected. 
Australian authorities say there is no evidence of mass mortalities so far or of infection of any poultry.

“We are watching the situation closely and remain in close contact with Australian authorities. It is a timely reminder that it takes all of us to be prepared for the arrival of a virus we can’t control the spread of,” says Mr Hoggard.

“While we can’t prevent wild birds bringing this virus here, we can work together to limit its impact. If H5N1 bird flu arrives, it is likely to spread in our wild bird population and will not be able to be eradicated, so it’s important for farmers and backyard bird owners to have good biosecurity practices in place.”

“Look for signs of illness in your birds and contact your vet if concerned, prevent contact between your birds and wild birds, and clean your boots, gear, surfaces and hands often,” says Mr Hoggard.

“People who spend time outdoors – tramping, duck hunting, bird watching – can form good habits now that will help protect wildlife if bird flu arrives here. Keep your distance from sick or dead wildlife, keep your gear clean, and know when to report.”

“If you see three or more sick or dead wild birds in a group, report it to the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66. Do not handle or move them.”
There is no food safety risk from H5N1, and the risk to human health is assessed as low. More information about H5N1 bird flu and the work New Zealand is doing to prepare is available at mpi.govt.nz/HPAI.
 

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/20/new-zealand-prepared-and-watching-as-bird-flu-detected-in-australia/

Source: New Zealand Government

99.5 per cent of people contributing to KiwiSaver through their wages or salaries can look forward to greater security in retirement thanks to the increase in contribution rates, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. 

“Almost three months after the default contribution rate for the scheme was lifted, only half a per cent of regular contributors have opted out of the increase.

“This means hundreds of thousands of Kiwis will be better off in retirement.”

KiwiSaver has just under 3.5 million members of whom about 1.8 million are contributing to their accounts through employee deductions. Of those 1.8 million, just 9300 have opted out of the increase that took effect on 1 April, choosing instead to remain on the previous 3 per cent rate.

“I’m delighted that so many New Zealanders have recognised the value of increasing their contributions and having those increases matched by their employers. 

Effectively this means the contributions to the KiwiSaver accounts of 1.8 million New Zealanders have increased from 6 to 7 per cent of their wages or salaries.  

“It says a lot about Kiwis’ priorities that even while financial conditions are tough for many, the vast majority are choosing to take the opportunity to save for a better financial future.   

“Small differences in weekly contributions make a big difference over the life of a superannuation scheme.”

The default contribution rate increased from 3 to 3.5 per cent on 1 April and will increase a further 0.5 per cent on 1 April 2028.

“That means an 18-year-old earning the minimum wage of just under $50,000 who joined the scheme on April 1 will have $930,000 in their KiwiSaver at age 65 if their earnings follow a typical trajectory,” Nicola Willis says.

“That is $190,000 more than they would have had with the old 3 per cent contribution rate. 

“Most New Zealanders have already embraced KiwiSaver as a simple way of saving to supplement their income in retirement. These changes will provide them with greater financial security. 

“They also mean young New Zealanders will be better placed to get a foot on the property ladder as KiwiSaver balances can be put towards the purchase of first homes.”

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/20/99-5-per-cent-benefiting-from-kiwisaver-change/

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Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 June 2026 – Hong Kong’s Government Flying Service (GFS) held its inaugural three-day International Symposium on Emergency Response and Aeromedical Services (ISERAS) (June 16-18), bringing together more than 230 policymakers, experts and academics, and industry representatives from over 70 institutions and accredited organisations.

With participants from places including Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, Australia, the United Kingdom, Austria, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand, the event aimed to foster closer co-operation in emergency linkage, resource sharing, and professional training among different regions.

The symposium featured a series of plenary sessions, panel discussions, technical visits, and live demonstrations jointly conducted by the GFS and various government emergency units. A number of memoranda of understanding were signed during the event, to deepen collaboration between the GFS and the Chinese Mainland as well as domestic and international emergency, aviation, and medical institutions.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Under Secretary for Security, Michael Cheuk, said that the challenges of emergency response as a result of the realities of climate change are evolving at an unprecedented pace.

“A shift to proactive prevention, continuous enhancement of international and cross-regional collaboration, and enhanced experience and insight sharing among stakeholders are key to rising to new and complex challenges,” Mr Cheuk said, adding that the collaborative spirit of ISERAS will forge stronger partnerships, further strengthen emergency response capabilities, and secure a safer future for communities.

The Director General of the Rescue and Salvage Bureau of the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China (CRS), Wang Lei, also attended the symposium and delivered a keynote presentation on air rescue capabilities and strategic development in the South China Sea.

The symposium concluded with an interdepartmental counter-terrorism drill and exchange session, with the participation of the GFS, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Hong Kong Fire Services Department, showcasing Hong Kong’s professional capabilities in responding to terrorist attacks.

The Controller of the GFS, Captain Eddie Liu, said that the GFS has always played an important role in emergency response and rescue. “In addition to assisting in search and rescue, providing air ambulance and other emergency aeromedical services, the GFS also shoulders the responsibility of maintaining internal security of the HKSAR,” he said.

“In emergencies such as terrorist attacks, the GFS would make rapid deployment to assist the disciplined services in conducting air assault, offering all-round support to the HKSAR Government’s overall counter-terrorism efforts.”

Since its establishment in 1993, the GFS has served at the forefront of round-the-clock search-and-rescue and emergency aeromedical operations, while the ISERAS aims to collectively build a truly transnational pool of professional expertise, thereby underscoring Hong Kong’s status as an aviation hub for emergency response in Asia.

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Hashtag: #HongKong #BrandHongKong #GFS #Emergency #Response #Aeromedical #Symposium

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

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Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 June 2026 – Hong Kong universities continue to excel on the international stage with five institutions ranked among the world’s top 100 and, for the first time, two in the top 20 of the 2027 World University Rankings published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) on June 18.

A spokesman for Hong Kong’s Education Bureau (EDB) said that with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government’s full commitment to developing Hong Kong into an education hub, coupled with the support of a series of policy measures, the city’s higher education system has again excelled.

Announcing the results, QS said in a press release that Hong Kong “emerges as Asia’s most improved higher education system for the second consecutive year, and the second most improved globally among systems with three or more ranked universities”.

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) maintained its position at 11th in the world; The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) rose 14 places to 18th; The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology rose 11 places to 33rd; and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University climbed four places to 50th, entering the world’s top 50 for the first time. Also among the top 100 is City University of Hong Kong, which improved 11 places to 52nd.

In the latest Best Global Universities Rankings published by the U.S. News & World Report just days ago, multiple Hong Kong universities also demonstrated exceptional international competitiveness, with 20 subjects placing in the global top 10. Notably, CUHK, HKU, and The Education University of Hong Kong swept the global top three spots for the Best Global Universities for “Education and Educational Research”, underscoring the city’s prowess in cultivating talents and conducting academic research.

“These achievements fully affirm the effectiveness of the HKSAR Government’s steadfast investment in education and its full support through the University Grants Committee (UGC) for institutions to continuously innovate, optimise, expand capacity, and enhance quality. The significant year-on-year rise in the overall rankings of our institutions further validates Hong Kong’s strong appeal as a premier hub for international high-end talent,” the EDB spokesman said.

“The stellar performance of UGC-funded universities in the international rankings is by no means accidental. On one hand, it relies on the tireless efforts of all institutions to actively recruit world-class scholars and invest in infrastructure. On the other hand, the HKSAR Government’s stable resource investment, clear and supportive policy guidance, as well as the rigorous quality assurance implemented through the University Accountability Agreements, are also of paramount importance.”

The Government will continue to promote the internationalisation and diversification of post-secondary education, which aims to not only enhance Hong Kong’s development momentum but also make proactive contributions to the nation’s development, the spokesman said.

The strength demonstrated by Hong Kong’s higher education system aligns perfectly with the strategic goals set out in the National 15th Five-Year Plan to build a leading nation in education, technology, and talent.

To support the post-secondary education sector to grow bigger and stronger, the Government has raised the admission ceiling for non-local students in taught programmes at funded post-secondary institutions to 50 per cent, and increased the over-enrolment ceiling for self-financing places in funded research postgraduate programmes to 120 per cent, among other measures.

Meanwhile, the Government is promoting the “Study in Hong Kong” brand. The Task Force on Study in Hong Kong, in collaboration with major institutions, is stepping up promotion of Hong Kong’s excellent academic, research, and international collaboration resources on the Chinese Mainland and overseas. It also aims to attract outstanding talent from all over the world through initiatives such as expanding the Belt and Road Scholarship.

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Hashtag: #HongKong #BrandHongKong #EducationHub #University #QS

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Source: Family First

Not to be missed – the annual NZ Forum on the Family (also Family First’s 20th Anniversary!) is bringing together some exceptional international speakers (see below). This year we’ve also got a new format, with topical panel discussions (media, political, medical) and bonus sessions. The conference will be Friday evening 11th September and all-day Saturday 12th September. There’s also a new venue at Victory Convention Centre (98 Beaumont Street, Freemans Bay, Auckland 1010). The conference will start Friday night at 6pm with three sessions, and then the full day on Saturday from 8.45am. There will be an informal dinner on Friday evening, while Saturday includes morning tea and lunch. On Saturday we will also be doing a special on-stage live recording of CounterCulture – our new show that explores the issues relevant to Millennials and Gen Z. We’ll debate politics, media and other current issues.

The NZ Forum on the Family also brings together a national & international network of family-focused organisations, scholars, church & community leaders and individuals who are part of a movement for social change to bring New Zealand to a place where families are strengthened, marriage is honoured, life is protected, and religious freedom is upheld. Last year this event sold out, so Register Now!

Key speakers at this year’s Forum on the Family include:

• Dr Ben Carson (USA) – Raised by a single mother, Benjamin Carson’s mother firmly believed that education and faith in the Lord were the channels that would change the course of her boys’ lives and end the cycle of poverty for her family. After graduating from Yale University, Dr. Carson earned his M.D. from the University of Michigan Medical School. For nearly 30 years, Dr. Carson served as Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. In 1987, he successfully performed the first separation of craniopagus twins conjoined at the back of the head. In 2016, Dr. Carson accepted the position of Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under the Trump administration. In 2021, Dr. Carson founded the American Cornerstone Institute (ACI). [Dr Carson will be interviewed via video link]. Topic – Faith, Liberty, Community & Life – Why We Should Protect It
• Sall Grover (Australia) – After years of sexual harassment as a screenwriter in Hollywood, Sall Grover developed Giggle – an app marketed as a social space exclusively for women, offering functionality for networking, friendship, support groups, and professional collaboration. In May, in a case called Giggle v Tickle, the Australian Federal Court upheld a finding that Giggle had unlawfully discriminated against Tickle, a transgender-identifying man who tried to join the app as a woman. Sall’s case has significant implications for the legal recognition of sex-based rights in Australia but also NZ, particularly concerning the definition of “sex” in law, and the right to single-sex spaces for all. Sall has paid a huge cost – both financially but also emotionally – for simply standing for women. Now it’s our turn to stand with her! TOPIC: Giggle vs Tickle Brings A Serious Warning
• Leighton Smith (NZ) – In our view (and the view of many others) Leighton Smith has not only been a leading broadcaster in New Zealand for more than 40 years, but he has also been a strong and credible defender of conservative values in New Zealand. As part of Family First’s 20-year anniversary, we’ve asked Leighton to ask the hard questions of the boss. Leighton will interview founder Bob McCoskrie about the legacy of Family First, and what the future looks like given the current cultural changes and challenges. Topic: Family First’s 20 Years – Unmasked! Leighton Interviews Founder And CEO Bob McCoskrie
• Martyn Iles (Australia) – Between 2018–2023, Martyn was Managing Director of the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL). In that role, he produced a popular vlog called The Truth of It and appeared frequently in the media. Martyn cofounded the Human Rights Law Alliance (HRLA), an Australian law firm dedicated to assisting people requiring legal support in the areas of freedom of religion, conscience, and speech. Between 2023 and 2025 he was the Executive CEO at Answers in Genesis, a large Christian apologetics and education ministry well-known for its famous Ark Encounter and Creation Museum attractions. Martyn is launching a new Christian education technology platform for children and young people. Martyn previously spoke at the Forum on the Family in 2022. Topic: Why We Must (Boldly) Counter The Culture With Truth
• Dr Jillian Spencer & Dr Andrew Amos (Australia) – In 2023, Dr Jillian Spencer, a respected Queensland child and adolescent psychiatrist, was stood down from her job in 2023 and the position was terminated last September. Her only “offence” was refusing to comply with an automatic “affirmative” approach to children experiencing gender distress. Instead, she advocated for a careful, evidence-based, and holistic approach that considers each child’s broader mental health and family circumstances. Dr Andrew Amos was until recently an academic psychiatrist at James Cook University and chair of the Queensland Section of Rural Psychiatry with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, but has now been prevented from practicing clinically. Dr Amos has questioned whether “gender-affirming care” allows psychiatrists to properly assess whether mental illness may be contributing to a patient’s gender distress. Topic: Conviction, Courage, And Then ‘Cancelation’ – The Cost Of Truth

Download our Forum Poster.

Forum Registration (includes the full conference across both Friday and Saturday)

$149 Individual

$269 Married Couple

$99 Special Student Rate (with Student ID)

Cost includes dinner on Friday evening, and Morning Tea and Lunch on Saturday.

Last year this event sold out, so Register Now.

Accommodation at Quest on Beaumont

We are pleased to offer a preferential accommodation rate at Quest on Beaumont, valid Thursday 10th September to Sunday 13th September 2026. Studio @ $210.00 inc GST.  One Bedroom @ $230.00 inc GST.

Here’s some other useful websites for booking hotels in central Auckland:
Aucklandisite.com ; Booking.com ; Discover Auckland ; Tripadvisor

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Directions

Victory Convention Centre
98 Beaumont Street, Freemans Bay, Auckland 1010)

For more info:

tel: 09 261 2426
email: [email protected]

Cancellation and other terms

Should you wish to cancel your registration at least 30 days before the commencement of the event, we’ll refund you in full minus a $20.00 admin fee. If you cancel within 20 days of the event, we’ll refund 50% of the purchase price. If you cancel within 7 days of the event, or do a no-show on the day of the event, you’ll be liable for the full purchase price. In the unlikely event of cancellation of the event, the liability of the organisers is limited to the return of paid fees. The organisers may alter the times, dates and speakers of this event by notice to you at any time. While we are sorry if this causes inconvenience, the organisers will not be liable for any loss, damages or sadness arising from such changes.

Read our full terms and conditions here.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/18/nz-forum-on-the-family-2026-register-now-2/

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